The pattern of current flow in the oceans are clockwise in the ___ Hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the ___ Hemisphere.

The pattern of current flow in the oceans are clockwise in the ___ Hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the ___ Hemisphere.

• A. Northern; Southern
• B. Southern; Northern
• C. Eastern; Western
• D. Western; Eastern

Answer: (A)

The big-picture idea is how the Coriolis effect shapes ocean gyres. Moving water is deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, so the prevailing wind-driven currents tend to turn into a circular pattern. This creates clockwise gyres in the north and counterclockwise (anti-clockwise) gyres in the south. So, the normal pattern is clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Real-world examples include the North Atlantic and North Pacific gyres circulating clockwise, while the Southern Ocean and surrounding basins circulate counterclockwise.

The big-picture idea is how the Coriolis effect shapes ocean gyres. Moving water is deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, so the prevailing wind-driven currents tend to turn into a circular pattern. This creates clockwise gyres in the north and counterclockwise (anti-clockwise) gyres in the south. So, the normal pattern is clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Real-world examples include the North Atlantic and North Pacific gyres circulating clockwise, while the Southern Ocean and surrounding basins circulate counterclockwise.